USA Pro Challenge confirms stage 7 route for 2014

By VeloNews.com

Published Dec. 18, 2013

Updated Dec. 18, 2013 at 7:47 PM EST

Lookout Mountain will see a return by the USA Pro Challenge in 2014. Photo: Casey B. Gibson | www.cbgphoto.com

USA Pro Challenge organizers confirmed on Wednesday that the race’s seventh and final stage in 2014 would start in Boulder, Colorado, and end on a circuit in Denver. Fan voting decided the weeklong race’s finale, which will take in a lap over Lookout Mountain near Golden before heading for the Capitol.

“The 2014 USA Pro Challenge is going to be the most exciting year yet,” race owner Rick Schaden said in a press release. “Boulder, Golden and Denver have been such great hosts over the history of the race, so we decided to work them all into the final day of competition. These three iconic Colorado cycling locations are going to create one grand finale!”

The fourth edition of the race starts in Aspen on Aug. 18 and will wrap in Denver on Aug. 24. Organizers will release route details at a later date.

When announcing the host cities for the 2014 race, organizers left stage 7 open to a fan vote, offering options including a Denver circuit race, and a Golden finish or start.

“Cycling fans are so passionate and such an important part of the sport, so we decided to give them a voice in the route selection process,” CEO Shawn Hunter said in a press release. “We wanted to try something new this year and by incorporating fan feedback we have come up with what is going to be an incredible final day of racing.”